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Geomorphic Process Short Notes

Geomorphology is the study of Earth's topographic features, influenced by endogenic and exogenic processes. Endogenic processes, driven by internal energy, include diastrophism, volcanism, and earthquakes, while exogenic processes, powered by external energy, involve weathering, erosion, and mass movement. Key concepts include different types of weathering and the impact of forces like wind, water, and glaciers on shaping the Earth's surface.

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Geomorphic Process Short Notes

Geomorphology is the study of Earth's topographic features, influenced by endogenic and exogenic processes. Endogenic processes, driven by internal energy, include diastrophism, volcanism, and earthquakes, while exogenic processes, powered by external energy, involve weathering, erosion, and mass movement. Key concepts include different types of weathering and the impact of forces like wind, water, and glaciers on shaping the Earth's surface.

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subha22032002
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Geomorphic Processes – Short Notes

• Geomorphology: Study, description and classification of Earth's topographic features.

• Father of Geomorphology: William Morris Davis.

• Geomorphic processes occur due to two forces: Endogenic (internal) and Exogenic (external).

• Endogenic Processes: Internal processes driven by energy from inside Earth (mainly
convection currents in the mantle).

• Energy sources: Primordial heat and radioactive decay.

• Convection current theory explained by Arthur Holmes (1930).

• Endogenic and exogenic forces together create and modify Earth's relief features.

• Example: Himalayas rising due to stronger endogenic forces; Aravalli decreasing due to
stronger exogenic forces.

• Effects of Endogenic Forces: Diastrophism, volcanism, earthquakes.

• Diastrophism: Deformation and movement of Earth's crust forming large-scale landforms.

• Orogenic Process: Mountain-building process involving horizontal crustal movement;


responsible for formation of mountain ranges.

• Epeirogenic Process: Broad vertical movement of large landmasses; slower than orogenic
movement.

• Earthquakes: Sudden shaking of Earth's crust due to tectonic movement.

• Volcanic Eruption: Magma or lava erupts through openings or vents on Earth's surface.

• Exogenic Processes: Surface processes driven by external energy (mainly the Sun).

• Major exogenic agents: Wind, water, glaciers.

• Denudation: Long-term processes that wear away Earth's surface and reduce elevation.

• Major Exogenic Processes: Weathering, mass movement, erosion, transportation.

• Weathering: Breakdown or decomposition of rocks and minerals at Earth's surface; an in-situ


process.

• Types of Weathering: Physical, chemical, biological.

• Physical Weathering: Mechanical breakdown of rocks due to temperature change, water, ice,
etc.

• Examples: Freeze–thaw action (frost wedging), unloading and expansion, exfoliation, salt
crystallization.

• Tor: Rounded hill commonly formed in granite regions.

• Chemical Weathering: Decomposition of rocks through chemical reactions.

• Major processes: Oxidation, reduction, carbonation, solution, hydration.

• Spheroidal weathering: Chemical weathering that rounds rock edges.

• Leaching: Soluble minerals (nitrates, sulphates, potassium, carbonates) dissolve and are
washed away.

• Biological Weathering: Breakdown of rocks by living organisms such as plants, earthworms,


rodents and microbes.

• Mass Movement: Downslope movement of soil, rock, and debris under the influence of gravity.

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